Society Snow & Skate will host an afternoon skateboard demo and then an evening art show featuring local artists this Saturday, July 30. Proceeds from a silent auctions of the art works will benefit the Community Connections youth camp program.
The artists’ canvasses are shoes, shirts, hats and other clothing pieces donated by a spectrum of skateboard and snowboard lifestyle companies. The artists then put their touches on the clothing to create unique works.
Participating artists include Ian Haughton, Sabina Spahman, Kate Roberts, Teria Davies, Sarah Kuipers, Estelle Norris, Anna Mitten, Blaze, Molly Higgins and Mark Kowalchuk.
Artist Sarah Kuipers came by for the photo-op to promote the show. She welcomed the chance to participate in the event, saying it provided her with an opportunity to highlight her work. The Revelstoke-based skier painted shoes with day and night mountain landscapes, each featuring a portrait.
Joey Norsworthy organized the event through his lifestyles, sales and marketing company Our Habit. He says the show is about highlighting up-and-coming young artists and emerging talent in a context they’re already engaged with. “That’s where you see the younger generation of artists,” Norsworthy said. “[Let’s] showcase them and have the town recognize their work.”
Jost’s Mackenzie Avenue shop features many oil paintings signed by Karl Jost. He lets me in on a running in-joke when I assume he’s the painter. In fact, the landscapes were done by his dad. “I only tell attractive women those are mine,” he jokes. He welcomes everyone to come down to the show, noting there’s “always been a correlation” between skate culture and artists.
The event takes place at Society Snow & Skate on Mackenzie Avenue on Saturday, July 30 from 7–11 p.m.
A skateboard demo will he held in conjunction with the event from 12–2 p.m. on Mackenzie Avenue out front of the shop. Calgary-based Artschool Skateboards will bring their team for what Jost describes as a “mellow” demo featuring low-key obstacles like flat bars and manual pads. Artschool owner Mark Kowalchuk is a featured artist in the show. Their team includes Jeff Muirhead, Denis Lebel, Jeff Kent, Reuben Bullock, Brad McCoy, Ryan Hall and Ty Klassen, though it’s unclear how many of the riders will be attending.
And it wouldn’t be a skateboard party without an after-party. DJ Bryx and Ray Ray play at the River City Pub that evening in a related event.